Tag: Last Supper

Holy Thursday -Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

From the responsorial psalm: “To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 13:1-15, today’s readings)

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

During the Last Supper, Jesus puts all of his trust in the Father, fully aware, as John tells us, “that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God.” When Jesus approaches Peter to wash his feet, Peter misunderstands the significance of the act. Jesus responds by indicating that unless he washes Peter, he has no share with him. Jesus demonstrates the importance of humility and service to others in the kingdom of God. He says to the disciples, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

God, the Father of Mercies, help me receive your mercy even as I do not fully understand its profound meaning in sanctifying me. When Jesus approaches Peter, he first refuses to allow Jesus to wash his feet. Open me to receive your mercy, Lord, in humility and gratitude. “How shall I make a return to the LORD,” the psalmist prays, “for all the good he has done for me?”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the synagogue officials ask Paul to speak a word of exhortation for the people. He tells them the history of Israel and the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. In a similar manner, Jesus speaks to the disciples at the Last Supper, clearly stating that he is I AM, the God of Israel present in the flesh. “If you understand this,” Jesus tells them, “blessed are you if you do it.” By washing the disciples’ feet, the humility of God made man demonstrates sacrificial love and service to them and to all of humanity. To become like you, Lord, is impossible without your grace.

God, help me understand the significance of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. You sent your Son, who is one with you; in receiving the one sent, I receive you as my Father in heaven. Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet, but Jesus said to him: “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Grant me the grace, God, to receive your loving kindness fully in this life so that I can in turn bring your love to others and one day as your adopted son come into your glory.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.” Be with me today, Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.